Edelweiss

Mark Steyn gives us the lovely backstory to the song “Edelweiss” from The Sound of Music. The song has always touched me so, but the story behind its creation makes it even more meaningful.

It was the last song Rodgers & Hammerstein wrote together. It was added to the show to give the Baron von Trapp his only solo and balance a somewhat Mary Martin-heavy production. The stage production is darker than the film, but the song resonates in both as a anthem to love of family and country.

Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white,
clean and bright
You look happy to meet me.
Blossom of snow
may you bloom and grow,
Bloom and grow forever.
Edelweiss, EdelweissBless my homeland forever.

[Aside: The Sound of Music has a special place in my heart. The hubster played the Baron von Trapp in his high school production, many, many years ago.]